Democrats support incumbents

February 5, 2014

NEW ULM - Democratic incumbents offer good choices for local voters, according to statements made Tuesday at the New Ulm Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) caucus.

"We don't have a lot of contested races, but we have a lot of good candidates that we are excited about re-electing," said Peg Sundell, summarizing the mood at caucus.

The DFL held its precinct caucuses at the New Ulm Community Center. A few dozen voters attended.

Sundell said that with Gov. Mark Dayton, 1st District Rep. Tim Walz and Sen. Al Franken running for re-election, those attending the DFL caucus, had less to discuss than their Republican counterparts.

The subject dominating most discussion was the resolutions opposing Citizen United, a Supreme Court ruling that lifted restriction on spending during campaigns, and the resolution raising minimum wage. Other topics included the push to reduce carbon emissions.

The only issue of contention among the DFL is the Secretary of State position, which is currently held by Mark Ritchie. The two potential candidates are state representatives Steve Simon and Debra Hilstrom. No straw poll was taken because of the lack of initial campaigning by the candidates. Simon and Hilstrom are expected to appear at the County Convention.

The next step in the 2014 election cycle is the Brown County Convention. The Brown County DFL Convention is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 15, at the New Ulm Civic Center in the upstairs meeting room.